Apparatus for twisting fibrous strands



Feb. 2, 1965 R. E. SMITH ETAL 3,167,902

APPARATUS FOR TWISTING FIBROUS STRANDS Filed'Aug. 24, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS BY FRANCIS 62 630mm A770 Iva 5 R. E. SMITH ETAL APPARATUS FOR TWISTING FIBROUS STRANDS Feb. 2, 19,65

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 24, 1962 INVENTORS Roy L? 5M/r/-/ & BY FRANCIS 6i 5K4L K0 United States Patent 3,167,902 APPARATUS FOR TWISTiNG FIBRUUS STRANDS Roy E. Smith, Anderson, S.C., and Francis C. Sikalko, Lincoln, RJL, assignors to Owens-Corning Fibergas Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 24, 1962, Ser. No. 219,273 2 Claims. (Cl. 57-58.83)

This invention relates to apparatus for producing twisted strands or yarns of fibrous materials, and more particularly to method and apparatus for twisting strands or yarns made either of continuous or staple glass fibers.

The production of strands and yarns of continuous glass fibers suitable for weaving involves first the manufacture of a forming package. This involves the attenuation of a plurality of streams of molten glass, produced by a bushing, to form filaments that are gathered together just after application of a liquid binder and size, into a single strand. The strand is wound wet and at high speed upon a rapidly rotated moisture-resistant tube. The rapid winding provides the force for attenuating the glass streams into the fine fibers.

At this point of production, this so-produced forming package is highly saturated with moisture and although requiring drying to a degree, is nevertheless maintained at a high moisture level to preserve strand integrity and keep the plurality of 200+ filaments positively bonded together in the single strand.

As a result of the required moisture content to preserve strand integrity, rewinding from the forming package for twist and subsequent ply into balanced yarns for weaving has in the prior art required tangential take-off. This requires rotating the forming package on the creel of the twisting frame and feeding the strand down to the subjacent ring and traveler twister for rewind package formation. Tangential strand take-off from the forming package, as is well-known, requires that the forming package be rotated about its axis as the strand is fed downwardly to the ring and traveler where the twist is applied. However, the nature of the package limits the rate at which tangential removal can be made. Thus, the package is a dynamically unbalanced mass having a substantial amount of difficult-to-control kinetic energy at even relatively low rotational speeds; this unbalance results in vibration, strand breakage and similar problems.

Further, due to the unbalance of the package, strand will feed from one side more rapidly than from the other because of varying speed of rotation; this causes loping; that is, the strand will overrun or overfeed intermittently. providing slack and then when it slows down, the strand will be snapped taut, resulting in strand breakage, particularly at higher speeds. Also, this loping or slack development results in loop formation in the plied yarn. As is well-known, yarn strength at the point of and beyond the free end of the loop is substantially nil. Thus, the rotating forming package strand take-off for purposes of rewinding and twisting has a number of drawbacks.

Accordingly, it would provide a valuable step forward in the art if a method and apparatus could be provided wherein the rewinding of strand could be speeded and at the same time wherein the defects of loping, snapping with strand breakage, and looping inherent in this prior art procedure could be overcome.

It is accordingly an important object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for rewinding and twisting strands .of both continuous and staple glass fibers.

A further object is to provide an apparatus for rewinding and twisting strands of glass fibers wherein the package is retained in a stationary position.

A further object is to provide an apparatus for rewind- 3,167,902 Patented Feb. 2, 1965 ing and twisting strands of glass fibers wherein rewinding speeds are substantially increased over the prior art and production is boosted as contrasted to the low processing speeds are substantially increased over the prior art and processing speeds.

A further object is to provide an apparatus for rewinding and twisting strands of glass fibers from a forming package wherein the rewind speed is substantially increased over the prior art, but at the same time, the processing diificulties of the prior art are overcome by utilizing a stationary forming package and taking strand off over end of the package for an initial turn.

A further object is to provide apparatus for rewinding strands of continuous and staple glass fibers from either flat or barrel build packages optionally using a free-running take-01f traveler.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a schematic-type view, partly in section, illustrating one form of method and apparatus of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second type of top-twister apparatus of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a schematic-type view analogous to FIG- URE 1, illustrating an inverted version of one form of top-twister apparatus of invention; and

FEGURE 4 is a schematic-type view of apparatus and method of invention for feeding pre-twisted strands to a bearner in accordance with the invention.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practised or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

PERSPECTIVE VIEW Briefly, the present invention encompasses apparatus for rewinding strands, particularly of glass fibers, from either flat-build or barrel-build forming packages. More importantly, the present invention provides highly accelerated rewinding from a stationary package to apply twist for purposes of subsequent ply.

By the present invention a top rewind apparatus is employed which holds the forming package stationary as contrasted to the present rotating creel. Also in the present invention the strand or yarn is removed over end, then directed in a reverse manner axially through the package and then turned about the package to provide a double twist, followed by subsequent twisting by ring and traveler, giving a multiple twist wherein only a single twist was capable of being imparted heretofore by the prior art.

It is an unusual aspect of the invention that problems heretofore encountered in over end take-01f of barrelbuild packages have been solved in accordance with the present invention. Therefore, as shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawings and as will be fully described, rapid over end take-off from a barrel-build package is provided, which has not been possible heretofore. This is particularly advantageous when using a high moisture content 'package to provide strand integrity, and with multiple twist not heretofore possible in such a rapid and efficient manner.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a highly compact apparatus for producing multiple twist enemas strand, with substantial advance over the prior art, wherein astationary forming package is utilized at the top of a twister frame instead of a rotating package creel, and wherein strand during rewinding and twisting is vdrawn downwardly to provide unidirectional process flow withoutf'frictional forces encountered by direction reversal.

I Ina still further aspect of the invention, as shown in FIGURE 4, yarn is twisted during over end take-oil from a stationary forming package and fed in a pi e-twisted condition directly to a beamer Without the presently req'uired r'ewindin g.

In view of the foregoingintroductory comments, a full explanation of each of the embodiments of the present invention now follows:

THE EMBODIMENT or FIGURE 1 As shown in'FIGURE 1, strand from a forming package, held in the non-rotated position at the creel position of a rewir'iding frame, is provided with a double twist afterwhich it is subsequently fed downwardly to a normal milk bottle build package, at which point subsequent twists: are provided. Thus, the--numeral represents a support member of a twister frame, to which a bracket'lZ is fastened as by welding at 11. To the top surface of the bracket 12, there is mounted as by bolting at 14 a top twister unit 16. More particularly, the twister unit 16 inlu'des'a base member 18, which includes a thrust bearing socket 2i) and a rotary bearing 22, both being formed atstrand guide 36, having a hollow interior and supportedat its base end in a central body portion 38' of theintermediate spinner member 26.

A strand outlet passage 40 extends radially outwardly,

joining with the hollow interior of the tubular strand guide 36 at its base, and cooperating with upturned flange 42, which serves as a feed-off lip of smooth contour.

The package support is designated 44 and comprises at its bottom portion a basket-like member 46 or basketlike' annular wall 46 with an annular cavity 48 therein to retain a weight 50'. I

Coaxially, the unit includes a tubular bearing housing 52 with lower and upper bearings 54 and56, mounted on the exterior of the tubular strand guide 36 previously discussed. From the foregoing, it will be understood that the package support 44 can'fioat upon the intermediate spinner member :26.

Upwardly from a radial stiffener wall 58 and coaxially outwardly from the tubular bearing housing 52', there extends'upwardly and coaxially a tubular package support 60. Onto this package support 60, a flat build forming package of strand is positioned in slip-on relation.

It should be noted that a tensioning device of known configuration is positioned either within the strand guide 36 or the outlet passage 40, in this and the'subsequent embodiments.

After a package 61 is placed in position, a plug end 64 is applied by slidably inserting it concentrically within the upper end of the tubular package support 60.- For this purpose, the plug end 64 has a radial flange 66 to abut the top end of support 60. The plug end 64 is of tubular configuration and stepped downwardly in size at the top end toform a fiber entrance aperture 68;

With the plugend 64 in place, a strand end 70 is removed from'the package 61 and threaded coaxially downwardlythrough the unit, as by a small feed tube or other probe device, and pulledthrough the strand outlet passage 40 to be directed upwardly through the first feed loop 72,

4. thence to the second feed loop 74, to reverse direction 90 or a total of about 180, and'then descend perpendicularly to a conventional ring and traveler twister 76, including its guide loop 78.

Intermediate the second feed loop 74 and the guide loop 78 there is provided a pair of nip rolls '75 which are driven at an appropriate speed. The strand 70, is run between the rolls 75 which provide the moving force for the strand. 7 t

Twister 76 comprises a spindle support shaft 80 fastened in a support member 82 and extending upwardly therefrom. A rotatable spindle 34 is journalled upon the support shaftSt) and the upper tubular portion thereof is configured to receive a tube 86 of conventional structure. The lower portion of the spindle 84 is formed as a flat belt pulley 88, over which a belt 90 is lapped'in driving relation. 7

Mounted on a vertically moveable support 92, there is provided a rotary ring and traveler assembly 94, comprising a ring member 96 and a traveler of semi-loop configuration 98. Support 92 is adapted for vertical movement as indicated by the arrow lot).

In operation, the ring andtraveler assembly 94 is movedvertically while the strand 70 is fed downwardly through the guide loop 78, thence through the traveler 98 and onto the tube 86' to form a package 102 by rotationof the tube 86 through the driving belt 90. Rotation of the package 102 causes the traveler 98 to whirl upon the ring 96 and thereby imparts twist in accordance with the rate of lineal speed of the strand 79 onto thepackage. Vertical movement of the ring and traveler builds the package 102 to a suitable profile.

OPERATION SUMMARY OF FIGURE '1 From the foregoing, it will be evident to one skilled in the art that the forming package 61 positioned on the tubular support 60 of the package support 44 is retained in non-rotatable relationship by gravitational pull on the 7 the package in accordance with the present invention. Th

guide eyes 72 and 74 and 78 then direct the strand t0 the package 102 where additional turns are applied.

From the foregoing it will further be obvious that extremely high rates of rewinding and twisting are obtainable in accordance with the present'invention by'virtu'e of the fact that the package is not rotated and the dynamic unbalances inherent therein are nullified. Thus, a valuable step forward in the art is provided in accordance with the present invention, improving economies of operation, both by accelerating the winding speeds and secondly and equally. as importantlyab'y providing a total desired twist in a single operation, without requirement of a second winding, which is an extremely expensive and time-consuming operation and often wasteful because.

of strand breakage during end finding.

THE EMBODIMENT or FIGURE 2 While over end take-off of strand has heretofore been capable of accomplishment at least toa degree,from flat-build packages, i.e. truly cylindrical packages, even with an appreciable moisture content in the fiber for strand integrity, such tak e-oif from a barrel-build package has not been previously accomplished.

In accordance with the FIGURE 2 embodiment of the present invention, this problem has now been solved, and extremely rapid rates of'rewinding and multiple twisting with either fiat-build or barrel-build packages is provided within the logical extension of the present invention.

sno /s02 As shown in FIGURE 2, therefore, over end take-off from a barrel-build package is provided. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the top twister is essentially of the same general configuration of parts as the equivalent item of the FIGURE 1 embodiment; therefore, similar elements will receive the same reference numerals. Thus, the unit comprises a base 18, bolted or otherwise fastened to a suitable support as in FIGURE 1, and defining bearings and 22. Drive by belt 32 is the same.

The intermediate spinner member 26 is also the same, with a center shaft or spindle 28, rotatable within the bearings 20 and 22, and including the tubular strand guide 36 extending coaxially and upwardly therefrom.

The package support 120, however, is modified from the showing of FIGURE 1 by having the basket-like wall 122 extend upwardly beyond the radial intermediate wall 58 to support a ring 124 intermediate the ends of the package 62. The ring carries a traveler 126. The plug end 64 is as described above, having a radial flange 66 and fiber entrance aperture 68.

The weight 50 retains the package support 120 in nonrotatable relation upon the intermediate spinner member 26. Here, it will be noted, a barrel-build package is being rewound. Thus, with the package 62 in position and the plug end 64 in retaining arrangement thereto, a fiber end 70 is threaded through the traveler 126 and upwardly to the fiber entrance aperture 68 where it is again threaded as by a probe, axially through the tubular strand guide to the strand outlet mouth 40, and upwardly and around to the first feed loop 72.

SUMMARY OPERATION OF THE FIGURE 2 EMBODIMENT Operation of the FIGURE 2 embodiment comprises belt drive rotation of the intermediate spinner member 26, whereby with draw-0E of the strand by suitable pulling device such as the conventional twister 76 in FIGURE 1, the strand 70 is caused to first balloon as at 164, and pass coaxially through the package 62, imparting a first twist, thence radially outwardly through the delivery mouth to re-balloon as at 166 to provide a second twist. Note the manner in which the ring and traveler cause the strand 70 to be lifted radially outwardly from the periphery of the barrel-build package.

Thus, from the foregoing it will be understood that the strand can be picked off over end from a barrel-build package at a much increased rate of speed over the conventional tangential take-ofi system now employed, because dynamic unbalance forces do not limit the rate of take-off; additionally, the present system provides a double twist as the strand leaves the package, whereas according to the prior art no twist at all was provided at the point of departure.

THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGURE 3 By proceeding in accordance with the schematic showing of FIGURE 3, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that an improved straight-line flow of strand is provided at a high rate of rewinding and twisting in accordance with the present invention.

In describing this aspect of the invention, similar refer ence numerals will be applied as above where like parts are designated.

Thus, the top twister utilized in this embodiment is also mounted on a support member 10 of a creel of a twister frame, secured as by welding as at 11. In this embodiment it will be noted that the support bracket 12 is of essentially the same angular construction, but inverted, and that bolts 14 are used to retain the base 140 of the inverted twister 142 in attached relation to the inverted bracket element 12.

In this embodiment of the invention, the base 140 is different from the corresponding unit 18 of the embodi ments of FIGURES 1 and 2. Thus, instead of a thrust 6 bearing 20 in FIGURES 1 and 2, a tension bearing is required as at 144. This comprises an annular bearing member and retainer 146, pressed against a shoulder 148, formed within the hollow interior of the tubular support of the base 140.

An annular retainer and bearing member 152 is inserted behind the annular bearing member and retainer 146, as by threading, to complete the tension bearing 144.

Member 146 absorbs both radial and axial thrust from the shaft end 154 of shaft 156 and radial bearing 158 at the bottom end of tubular support 150 supports the bottom end of shaft 156. The intermediate spinner member, corresponding to the numeral 26 of FIGURES 1 and 2, is here designated 160 because of somewhat different configuration in the fact that the shaft 156 for assembly purposes must be removably secured into the intermediate spinner member, as indicated at 162 in FIGURE 3.

Remaining aspects of the inverted top twister 142 are similar to those shown in FIGURE 1, including package support 44 comprising tubular package support 60, upon which a flat build package 61 is mounted, with plug end 64 having radial flange 66 and fiber entrance aperture 68. A slight departure will be noted in the weight 166, provided for non-rotation of package support 44.

By this embodiment of the invention, it will be noted that one end guide eye 164 is utilized instead of two guide eyes 72 and 74 in FIGURE 1. Thus, straight line flow is provided, reducing friction of reversal of strand, as by the second eye 74, FIGURE 1.

Loading of the top twister 142 of FIGURE 3 is accomplished by inserting the package 61 onto the tubular support 60 of the package support 44, selecting a strand end 70, feeding the same axially through the unit and out through the strand outlet throat 40, around and down to the guide eye 164. From the guide eye 164, the strand 70 is passed downwardly through nip rolls 75 to the guide loop 78 of twister 76, comprised of the same parts previously described.

In operation, the fiber strand 70 first balloons as at 104, reverses coaxially through the package 61, providing a first twist, then reversing again to balloon at 106 prior to entrance to the guide eye 164, providing a second twist. From the guide eye 164 flow is directly downwardly to the aligned eye 78. Then the strand again balloons at 108 prior to entry through the traveller 98 onto the package 102.

By proceeding in accordance with the apparatus and\ method of FIGURE 3, essentially the same end result is provided as in FIGURES 1 and 2. However, straight line strand flow is provided after the second twist is applied without turning the corner as at 74 in FIGURE 1.

Thus, slightly increased operating efiiciencies are provided in accordance with this aspect of the invention.

The embodiment of FIGURE 3 can also be modified to incorporate the ring and traveller modification of the top twister shown in FIGURE 2. Such modification is to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGURE 4 FIGURE 4 illustrates application of the present inventron to a beamer, providing double twist before the strand is applied to the beamer package, consisting of several hundred ends of strand.

Accordingly, a base member is suitably supported in space, such as on a beamer creel, and the twister 16, the same as in FIGURE 1, is applied thereto by suitable attachment means, not shown. A belt 32 laps the drive hub 30 to rotate the intermediate spinner member 26. The strand 70 balloons as at 104 and then enters the fiber strand entrance aperture 68, passing coaxially through the flat-build package 61, thence out the strand outlet passage or throat 40, ballooning again as at 106 as it passes upwardly around the unit.

At a point 172 coaxially above the package 61, the

horizontally in the arrow 182 direction to the beamer pressure roll 184. By means of a suitable traverser,

not shown, the strand 70 is directed over roll 184 and.

passing axially through the package 61, the strand 70' then reverses direction, passing out of the strand outlet throat 40, ballooning again at 106 on its way to the The guide eye 174;thus a second twist is imparted. Passing from the guide eye 174, the strand is properly tensioned at 176 and thence flows to the package 186.

Inthe present description of beamer operation, it is to be understood with regard to FIGURE 4 that only one twister 16 is shown, whereas the actual production of a beamer package involves the use of a plurality of up to 1,000 or more twisters 16 feeding strands '70 to the package. A typical package may have a core of about 12 diameter by about 54" length to produce a finished package of about 32 diameter and about 54" length.

The showing here regarding the beamer is somewhat schematic for clarity. A beamer package is normally held on gudgeons or stub shafts which fit on the driving head of the beamer frame, and either one or both ends of the beamer may be driven. In the event only one end. is driven, the other end is supported in a suitable anti-friction bearing.

An important advantage of course inherentin the method and apparatus disclosed in FIGURE 4 resides in the fast over end take-off from thepackage, Secondly,

a double twist is applied as sharply contrasted to the practice of the prior art where first a milk bottle build package would have to be produced. Thereafter, this was rewound into a beamer-type package, thus entailing a two-- step operation. In accordance with the present embodiment, manufacturing costs are cut by more than half, with more than a doubling in product output'per unit time because of the fact that manual handling, loading and end finding are omitted. Additionally, much higher speed operation is provided by take-off from a stationary forming package directly to the finished beamer package;

consisting of several hundred ends drawn into a common package.

EXTENDED SCOPE OF INVENTION .to be included within the scope of the invention to use magnetic dampers for this purpose if desired.

Whilethe intermediatespinner member 26 of FIG- URES l, 2 and 4, and 160 of FIGURE 3, has been shown as being power driven, because of the primary desire in the present invention to provide uniformity of twist through the running length of the strand, it is to be considered within the scope of the invention to provide a slight-modification at this point. Thus, the intermediate spinner member may be free-running for reinforcement staple yarn where uniformity of twist is of no consequence.

This type of fiber strand can also be subsequently plied,

and will make a yarn satisfactory for plastic reinforcemerit where uniformity is not so critical as in weaving yarns. In the logical extension of invention, therefore,

the intermediate spinner member can be either drivenor free-running.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION AND CONTRIBUTION TO.THE. ART

From the foregoing, it is believed obvious that the followingv advantages are provided by the present invention: r

(1) Higher processing speeds by use, of a stationary feed-off or forming package;

(2) Reduced processingcosts by'omitting at least half of the twisting steps formerly required for twisting, with a similar reduction of operator time, supervision, employee benefits, etc.;

(3) More compact processing equipment with less vibration to the creel of the twister frame, by utilization of a stationary feed-off or forming package;

(4) Novel processing procedure for barrel-build package, utilizing a novel primary ring and traveler to lift the strand off the package;

(5) Novel inverted package processing with straight line flow characteristics;

(6) Novel formation of a beamer package directly from a forming package by applying twist to the strand as it is fed off the forming package, then tensioning and directing to the beamer package; and

(7) Loping, looping and breakage from snapping are overcome by constant strand pull.

The economies of processing alluded to above provide a definite contribution tothe art, andwill'enable the fiber processer to improve his cost picture while being able to simultaneously reduce the consumer, price, thereby benefitting mankind and providing greater utilization of synthetic fibers.

We claim:

1. In a system for rewinding continuous strand,

' a base supported in space and having spaced coaxial bearings with the axis generally vertically disposed and canted slightly from true vertical,

an intermediate spinner member having a coaxial shaft carried in said base bearings and having a strand guide tube coaxial thereto and operably connected with a radially opening throat to direct strand radially outwardly, V

a bowl-shaped package support journalled on the strand guide tube of the intermediate spinner member,

weight means in said package support to prevent rotation thereof,

a package of strand carried coaxially on said package support,

an annular guide in the free end of said package support and having an eye coaxial to the package to direct the strand from the periphery of the package as a first free ballon around the free end of the package and axially through the package and into the interior of the intermediate spinner member and into the strand guide tube and throat of the intermediate spinner member, and the throat being etfective'to direct the strand radially from the axis of the package outwardly to a second free balloon entirely surrounding the package and the firstfree balloon,

a first strand guide coaxial to and spaced from the free end of the package,

a second strand guide offset from the first strand guide and in a generally horizontal plane with said first guide,

a pair of abutting pull rolls beneath said second guide,

a third strand guide beneath said pull rolls,

and a ring andtraveller package winding device beneath said third strand guide; 7

2. In a system for rewinding continuous strand,

a base supported in space .and having spaced coaxial bearings thereon, with the axis generally vertically disposed and canted slightly from true vertical,

an intermediate spinner member having a coaxial shaft 9 rotatably carried in said base bearings and having a strwd guide tube coaxial thereto and operably connected with a radially opening throat to direct strand radially outwardly,

a bowl-shaped package support rotatably journaled on said strand guide tube of said intermediate spinner member,

means to prevent rotation of said package support,

a package of strand carried coaxially on said package support,

an annular guide member of elongated tubular structure positioned in the free end of said package support and having a guide eye positioned coaxial to said package to direct said strand from the periphery of said package as a first free balloon around the free end of said package and axially through said package and into the interior of said intermediate spinner member and into said strand guide tube and said throat of said intermediate spinner member, and said throat being efiective to direct said strand radially from the axis of said package outwardly to a second free balloon entirely surrounding said package and said first free balloon,

a first strand guide coaxial to and spaced from the free end of said package,

a second strand guide offset from said first strand guide and positioned in a generally horizontal plane With said first strand guide,

a pair of abutting pull rolls positioned beneath said second strand guide,

a third strand guide positioned beneath said pull rolls,

and a ring and traveler package winding device positioned coaxially beneath said third strand guide.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Lipps Apr. 28, 1925 Andrew et al. Aug. 12, 1930 Andrew et al July 11, 1933 Lenk Sept. 12, 1933 Fulton Nov. 14, 1933 Cochran et a1 Sept. 20, 1949 Clarkson Apr. 24, 1951 Kingsbury Dec. 15, 1953 Bromley et al Apr. 18, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS France July 30, 1952 (1st addition to No. 955,185) France Feb. 11, 1953 Germany Mar. 10, 1933 Germany Jan. 4, 1951 Great Britain Oct. 21, 1959 Great Britain Aug. 23, 1961 Great Britain a- Aug. 23, 1961 Switzerland Mar. 2, 1936 

1. IN A SYSTEM FOR REWINDING CONTINUOUS STRAND, A BASE SUPPORTED IN SPACE AND HAVING SPACED COAXIAL BEARINGS WITH THE AXIS GENERALLY VERTICALLY DISPOSED AND CANTED SLIGHTLY FROM TRUE VERTICAL, AN INTERMEDIATE SPINNER MEMBER HAVING A COAXIAL SHAFT CARRIED IN SAID BASE BEARINGS AND HAVING A STRAND GUIDE TUBE COAXIAL THERETO AND OPERABLY CONNECTED WITH A RADIALLY OPENING THROAT TO DIRECT STRAND RADIALLY OUTWARDLY, A BOWL-SHAPED PACKAGE SUPPORT JOURNALLED ON THE STRAND GUIDE TUBE OF THE INTERMEDIATE SPINNER MEMBER, WEIGHT MEANS IN SAID PACKAGE SUPPORT TO PREVENT ROTATION THEREOF, A PACKAGE OF STRAND CARRIED COAXIALLY ON SAID PACKAGE SUPPORT, AN ANNULAR GUIDE IN THE FREE END OF SAID PACKAGE SUPPORT AND HAVING AN EYE COAXIAL TO THE PACKAGE TO DIRECT THE STRAND FROM THE PERIPHERY OF THE PACKAGE AS A FIRST FREE BALLON AROUND THE FREE END OF THE PACKAGE AND AXIALLY THROUGH THE PACKAGE AND INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE INTERMEDIATE SPINNER MEMBER AND INTO THE STRAND GUIDE TUBE AND THROAT OF THE INTERMEDIATE SPINNER MEMBER, AND THE THROAT BEING EFFECTIVE TO DIRECT THE STRAND RADIALLY FROM THE AXIS OF THE PACKAGE OUTWARDLY TO A SECOND FREE BALLON ENTIRELY SURROUNDING THE PACKAGE AND THE FIRST FREE BALLOON, A FIRST STRAND GUIDE COAXIAL TO AND SPACED FROM THE FREE END OF THE PACKAGE, A SECOND STRAND GUIDE OFFSET FROM THE FIRST STRAND GUIDE AND IN A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL PLANE WITH SAID FIRST GUIDE, A PAIR OF ABUTTING PULL ROLLS BENEATH SAID SECOND GUIDE, A THIRD STRAND GUIDE BENEATH SAID PULL ROLLS, AND A RING AND TRAVELLER PACKAGE WINDING DEVICE BENEATH SAID THIRD STRAND GUIDE. 